Big River's Daughter

Gr 5–9—Life on the great Mississippi in 1811 is stomping hard and full of rough-and-tumble, but, for the river rats eking out a living, it's also full of possibility. Aptly named River Fillian is just as scrappy as they come. Raised by her father, a keelboat captain and the river pirate king, she has spent her whole life on the Mississipp. After she overhears his plans to recover Blackbeard's treasure, an earthquake hits, and her beloved Da is killed, leaving her with a spyglass that he handcrafted. Joining forces with tall-tale legends Annie Christmas and Mike Fink, River must outsmart the notorious pirate brothers Jean and Pierre Lafitte and their plan to overtake business on the river while maybe finding a little treasure along the way. This highly enjoyable, fast-paced adventure captures the flavor of river life and the diversity of New Orleans. The ending's abruptness is a bit disappointing, but is somewhat atoned for in the epilogue. The author's note is incredible in its thoroughness, including information on characters and events mostly based on reality. Miller weaves numerous individuals and historical events into a cohesive tale that captures the American spirit through the eyes of a likable and spunky heroine. She is also spot-on with colloquialisms, providing the book with its unique voice. Truly, this tale would not have been so interesting without River's distinctive dialect and penchant for storytelling.—Rebecca Gueorguiev, New York Public Library